PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 08-607 Released: March 19, 2008 CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU SEEKS TO REFRESH RECORD ON ASSIGNING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP)-BASED TELECOMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (TRS) USERS TEN-DIGIT TELEPHONE NUMBERS LINKED TO NORTH AMERICAN NUMBERING PLAN (NANP) AND RELATED ISSUES CG DOCKET NO. 03-123 PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED Comments Due: April 8, 2008 Reply Comments Due: April 18, 2008 By this Public Notice, we seek to refresh the record on the numbering issue identified in the Interoperability FNPRM, which was released on May 9, 2006.1 Among other things, the Interoperability FNPRM sought comment on the feasibility of establishing a global, uniform ten-digit telephone numbering system for Video Relay Services (VRS).2 Specifically, we seek to ensure that the record reflects current viewpoints and any new developments that have been made since the deadline for filing comments in response to the Interoperability FNPRM, including any developments with respect to technical, economic, and administrative issues relevant to assigning users of all IP-based forms of TRS uniform and static end-point numbers linked to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).3 In this 1 Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, Declaratory Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 21 FCC Rcd 5442, 5459-60, at paras. 44-50 (May 9, 2006) (Interoperability FNPRM). We note that, in a related matter, the Commission is releasing today a Report and Order adopting interim emergency call handling requirements for the Internet-based forms of TRS. Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, CG Docket No. 03-123, WC Docket No. 05- 196, Report and Order, FCC 08-78 (rel. Mar. 19, 2008). 2 VRS is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) that allows individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate using sign language through video equipment and the Internet. See 47 C.F.R. § 64.601(17). Other Internet Protocol (IP)-based TRS services include IP Relay and IP Captioned Telephone Service (CTS). See generally 47 U.S.C. § 225; 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.601 et seq. 3 See Interoperability FNPRM, 21 FCC Rcd. at 5459-60, paras. 47-49 (requesting comments on technical and economic issues related to numbering and on assigning VRS users ten-digit numbers linked to NANP). We note that the Alliance for Telecommunication Industry Solutions (ATIS) recently released a report addressing the need for a ten-digit numbering system for IP-based TRS services. See “Numbering for Internet-Based Relay Services,” ATIS Report 0300093 (December 19, 2007) (available at http://www.atis.org/INC/Docs/finaldocs/Numbering-for- Internet-Based-Relay-Services-12-19-07.doc). We seek comment on the suggestions and conclusions identified in that report. 2 regard, we also seek to refresh the record on issues directly related to numbering, including application of the “slamming”4 and other consumer protection rules (such as the Commission’s Consumer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules5), local number portability (LNP) rules,6 and number resource conservation.7 Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments in this proceeding by April 8, 2008, and reply comments by April 18, 2008. When filing comments, please reference CG Docket No. 03-123. Comments may be filed using: (1) the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24,121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comment to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, "get form." A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by electronic media, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Services mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. The Commission's contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger- delivered paper filings or electronic media for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial and electronic media sent by overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554. Parties who choose to file by paper should also submit their comments on CD-Rom. The CD-Rom should be submitted, along with three paper copies, to: Dana Wilson, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 3-C418, Washington, D.C. 20554. Such a 4 See 47 U.S.C. § 258(a) and 47 C.F.R. § 64.1120 (setting forth “slamming” restrictions). 5 See 47 U.S.C. § 222; 47 C.F.R. § 64.2001 et seq. (the CPNI rules). 6 See 47 U.S.C. § 153(30) (defining number portability); 47 C.F.R. § 52.20 et seq. (setting forth LNP requirements). 7 See, e.g., Interoperability FNPRM: Comments of Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. in CG Docket No. 03- 123 at 6-8 (July 17, 2006) (addressing numbering-related slamming and LNP issues); see also Ex Parte of Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. in CG Docket No. 03-123 at 2 (Nov. 7, 2007) (asserting that number conservation efforts should not hinder the deployment of a numbering system for IP-based TRS). 3 submission should be on CD-Rom formatted in an IBM compatible format using Word 2003 or compatible software. The CD-Rom should be accompanied by a cover letter and should be submitted in "read only" mode. The CD-Rom should be clearly labeled with the commenter's name, proceeding (including the lead docket number, in this case, CG Docket No. 03-123), type of pleading (comment or reply comment), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the CD-Rom. The label should also include the following phrase: "CD-Rom Copy - Not an Original." Each CD-Rom should contain only one party's pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. In addition, commenters must send CD- Rom copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY- B402, Washington, D.C. 20554. Pursuant to section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are subject to disclosure. The full text of this document and copies of any subsequently filed documents in this matter will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. This document and copies of subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor at Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. Customers may contact the Commission’s contractor at its web site www.bcpiweb.com or by calling 1-800-378-3160. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This Public Notice can also be downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.html. For further information, please contact Gregory Hlibok, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at (800) 311-4381 (voice/VRS), (202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-mail at Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov. -FCC-